GOOSSENS X FARFETCH

Last week I spent some time with purveyor of fine luxury goods and e-commerce giant, Farfetch, who organised a day with French jewellery Maison, Goossens. We spent the morning in their boutique followed by lunch at one of my favourite restaurants, Balagan.

Established in 1950, Robert Goossens began his working life manipulating metal in a foundry in Le Marais that was owned by his father. From there he quickly turned his hand to precious metals and embarked on apprenticeships with jewellers and goldsmiths to learn the art of jewellery and all it entailed - knowledge that he passed on to his son Patrick, who now presides over the business.

Within three years of founding his jewellery house, Goossens captured the attention of the inimitable Gabrielle Chanel, who was impressed with his craftsmanship and ability to create beautifully-intricate, yet avant-guard jewels inspired by the Byzantines and Egyptians, amongst other bygone eras - inspirations that can still be seen through the brand’s DNA and designs today. In 2015 the Chanel Métiers d’Art group purchased the house, the same year that Patrick opened the boutique on Paris’ Rue Saint Honoré in the 1ème arrondissement, where we spent the morning admiring, trying on the jewellery pieces and creating out own jewels from a selection of rings and charm necklaces. I chose a ring made of metal tempered in 24 carats gold bath and adorned with a black-tinted rock crystal square cabochon, which is an iconic stone of the Maison.

MY GOOSSENS EDIT: